Does the switch to wintertime mean, that the bhikkhus are allowed to eat until 13:00 ? Since the Vinaya uses the sun peak as an orientation, that would be my interpretation. How is this commonly dealt with? Are Bhikkhus sticking to 12:00 just for the simplicity or do they extend the time where food is allowable to 13:00 ?

The few monasteries I have stayed at have always eaten at the same clock time regardless of winter or summer time. 11am or 11.30am on the clock. I seem to remember it is for the convenience of the laypeople, so they don't get confused about what time they should come to give dana.

But one time I remember going out to do some shopping for the monastery (I was a long term lay guest), and I came back at 12.37pm... and to my horror I realised had missed lunch and I'd have to fast until the next day! Horror!But then the Ajahn came in and said, "Check the solar noon, it's mid winter, so it may be later today."I checked the newspaper for the solar noon, and I had three minutes! I quickly wolfed down some bread and half a cold pie and that was enough. Relief! You may have guessed I don't like fasting.

Then, saturated with joy, you will put an end to suffering and stress.SN 9.11

Does the switch to wintertime mean, that the bhikkhus are allowed to eat until 13:00 ? Since the Vinaya uses the sun peak as an orientation, that would be my interpretation. How is this commonly dealt with? Are Bhikkhus sticking to 12:00 just for the simplicity or do they extend the time where food is allowable to 13:00 ?

Best wishes,Alobha

no winter is the mean-time, i.e., in the UK it is GMT not BST which is an hour ahead.the meal is at 12:00 in accord with the mean-time, and in the summer you gain an hour and can eat until 13:00.

This offering maybe right, or wrong, but it is one, the other, both, or neither!Blog,-Some Suttas Translated,Ajahn Chah."Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."